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By Jenna Mitchell
The graffiti covering some local parks and playgrounds may have parents worried due to some very explicit content. Not only is there nudity and profanity displayed on playground equipment, but there is an extensive array at times on the local skate parks. This type of vandalism may cause concern for local parents when they wish to take their children to the park to play.
There are measures a parent can take to help the city keep our parks and playgrounds clean, though. The following website, gives exact directions for when graffiti is observed. The address is http://www.ci.colospgs.co.us/Page.asp?NavID=283.
This is a page at Springsgov.com. On the site, one can simply go to the hyperlink titled Graffiti Removal Program and follow the directions.
According to the site, if you see graffiti with obscene content, be sure to notify the police first by calling the Graffiti Helpline 719-634-5713. This number can be reached at any time, day or night. This is also the direct line when graffiti is seen anywhere in the city.
While the city of Colorado Springs, Department of Parks, Trails and Wide Open Spaces tries to keep the problem in check, the budget cuts in 2002 made a detrimental impact on staffing and equipment. Kurt Schroeder, the department manager said, “We just are not able to get out there as often as we used to.”
The process for removing the graffiti is extensive and requires a soda blaster machine. There are only two employees currently staffed who are certified to use it to remove spray paint, permanent marker and other tools for defacement. Also, powerful solvents can be used but these solvents must be somewhat weaker than may be needed due to the toxic nature of the products.
The department employees can only use these tools for removal. They can’t paint over the graffiti because, “It’s very difficult to match the exact color of playground equipment,” so the aesthetic appearance of the park is lessoned due to the “patchwork look,” Schroeder said. So, as far as the graffiti itself, Schroeder also said, “It depends on the type of graffiti and what surface it’s on.” The level of how extensively the surface is defaced plays a big part too. They would rather remove it completely than paint over it.
Another organization here in the Springs that help to remove the graffiti, is Workout Ltd. They have their own soda blaster and take people out to the sites of graffiti to actuate the removal process. Their site is, http://www.workoutltd.org. On the site they explain the programs they have and what they do for the community.
The actual definition given on the Springsgov.com site is, “Graffiti is defined as any writing, word, symbol, figure, design or other inscribed material written, sprayed, painted or otherwise applied to any exterior surface of a building, wall, fence, tree, sidewalk, curb, or other permanently fixed object without the authority or consent of the property owner.” If you see it, report it, especially when our children are exposed to its content.
The graffiti covering some local parks and playgrounds may have parents worried due to some very explicit content. Not only is there nudity and profanity displayed on playground equipment, but there is an extensive array at times on the local skate parks. This type of vandalism may cause concern for local parents when they wish to take their children to the park to play.
There are measures a parent can take to help the city keep our parks and playgrounds clean, though. The following website, gives exact directions for when graffiti is observed. The address is http://www.ci.colospgs.co.us/Page.asp?NavID=283.
This is a page at Springsgov.com. On the site, one can simply go to the hyperlink titled Graffiti Removal Program and follow the directions.
According to the site, if you see graffiti with obscene content, be sure to notify the police first by calling the Graffiti Helpline 719-634-5713. This number can be reached at any time, day or night. This is also the direct line when graffiti is seen anywhere in the city.
While the city of Colorado Springs, Department of Parks, Trails and Wide Open Spaces tries to keep the problem in check, the budget cuts in 2002 made a detrimental impact on staffing and equipment. Kurt Schroeder, the department manager said, “We just are not able to get out there as often as we used to.”
The process for removing the graffiti is extensive and requires a soda blaster machine. There are only two employees currently staffed who are certified to use it to remove spray paint, permanent marker and other tools for defacement. Also, powerful solvents can be used but these solvents must be somewhat weaker than may be needed due to the toxic nature of the products.
The department employees can only use these tools for removal. They can’t paint over the graffiti because, “It’s very difficult to match the exact color of playground equipment,” so the aesthetic appearance of the park is lessoned due to the “patchwork look,” Schroeder said. So, as far as the graffiti itself, Schroeder also said, “It depends on the type of graffiti and what surface it’s on.” The level of how extensively the surface is defaced plays a big part too. They would rather remove it completely than paint over it.
Another organization here in the Springs that help to remove the graffiti, is Workout Ltd. They have their own soda blaster and take people out to the sites of graffiti to actuate the removal process. Their site is, http://www.workoutltd.org. On the site they explain the programs they have and what they do for the community.
The actual definition given on the Springsgov.com site is, “Graffiti is defined as any writing, word, symbol, figure, design or other inscribed material written, sprayed, painted or otherwise applied to any exterior surface of a building, wall, fence, tree, sidewalk, curb, or other permanently fixed object without the authority or consent of the property owner.” If you see it, report it, especially when our children are exposed to its content.
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